At this year’s NYCxDesign, a striking trend emerged that combined contemporary furniture frames with lush, decadent floral fabrics. From chairs to sofas, designers embraced maximalism with rich brocades, silks, and organic motifs, offering a fresh take on luxury upholstery that merges modern lines with baroque-inspired textures. Alongside industrial influences like cage-encased lighting and cast metal furniture, the floral fabric trend dominated the show’s decorative narrative. Industry voices, including Sight Unseen co-founder Monica Khemsurov, identified this movement as a revival of maximalist style, updated with a modern sensibility in color and pattern. Here, we explore six exemplary pieces that captured the spirit of floral maximalism at NYCxDesign 2025.
The rise of floral maximalism in modern upholstery
Floral fabrics are making a powerful comeback, but not in their traditional forms. “Floral upholstery is definitely a developing trend within the larger return of a baroque or maximalist style,” explained Monica Khemsurov. She highlighted the fusion of “dark woods, brocades, cast bronze and iron, pattern layering, florals,” noting that the appeal lies in florals that bring a contemporary twist through color and form.
The renewed interest reflects a broader desire for furniture that feels both elevated and personal, countering minimalist austerity with warmth and opulence. This approach was evident across NYCxDesign’s exhibitions, where floral textiles adorned modern silhouettes, blending history and innovation.
Six floral seats that defined NYCxDesign 2025
Bell Chair by Sam Klemick
Los Angeles designer Sam Klemick’s Bell Chair was a standout at the Petra Hardware x Sight Unseen Collection exhibition held at SoHo’s Host on Howard showroom. Upholstered in Pierre Frey’s mustard yellow brocade, the chair featured bright florals and butterflies, perfectly complementing the exhibition’s “elevated, decorative feel,” according to Khemsurov. The combination of classic brocade with a vibrant palette gave the piece a joyful yet refined character.
Linden Sofa by Parc
At ICFF, New York-based studio Parc showcased the Linden Sofa, an elongated piece with a sleek hardwood maple frame and solid natural oak feet. The floral Dedar Milano fabric covering the backrest drew inspiration from streetwear and skate culture, explained Parc designer John Records: “The fabric is like a floral button-up shirt, the boucle like khakis, and the oak base like brown suede shoes.” This fusion of casual references with rich textiles epitomizes the new wave of maximalism.
Le Mans chair by BG Robinson
In an intimate Upper East Side townhouse salon curated by Ashlee Harrison, BG Robinson revealed a dining chair collection featuring metallic frames wrapped in light blue silk floral patterns. The designer’s intent was to “reckon with the failure of democratized design,” blending sleek modernity with textile luxury to create furniture that is both stylish and thoughtful.
The Bukowski chair by Steven Bukowski
Brooklyn designer Steven Bukowski presented his wooden Bukowski Chair at ICFF, upholstered in a bold jacquard velvet by Dedar Milano featuring tiger motifs. The chair’s curvaceous legs, described as a “lively dance with the material,” highlighted a sophisticated balance between solidity and fluidity — a perfect match for the vibrant fabric.
Libramente Daybed by Soft Witness
This dual-city studio’s Libramente Daybed stood out with its midnight blue wool and cotton fabric designed by Zak and Fox. Contrasted by thin floral pillows in Dedar Milano fabric, the piece features fig and twining branch motifs and ingeniously splits into two separate chairs. This modular versatility, paired with lush fabric, made the daybed a highlight of textile innovation.
Perceptions Chair by Known Work
Known Work, a New York studio and offshoot of Parts and Labor Design, unveiled its Perceptions Chair, featuring a boxy burl frame dressed in baby blue silk velvet from Schumacher. Embellished with rabbits, foxes, and deer motifs, this “sprint edit” version for the Petra Hardware x Sight Unseen show embodied a whimsical yet sophisticated charm, blending narrative design with tactile luxury.
Maximalism and individuality shape the future of furniture design
The floral upholstery trend at NYCxDesign reflects a larger shift toward furniture that celebrates individuality and bold expression. Designers are revisiting historic textures and patterns but reinventing them with fresh color palettes and forms, appealing to a new generation of buyers eager for statement pieces that offer both comfort and artistry. As Monica Khemsurov and the featured designers demonstrate, maximalism is far from mere excess — it’s a nuanced return to craftsmanship and decoration that feels personal and contemporary. This rich interplay between past and present is setting the stage for the next evolution in furniture design.
